Guadalajara has been selected as the site for Tianguis Turistico 2016, winning out over Merida, Leon and Cancun. In the end, the Tianguis selection committee assessed four proposals, according to Claudia Ruiz Massieu, Mexico's secretary of tourism. In all, she said destinations that came under consideration included cities in the states of Queretaro, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Yucatan and Quintana Roo.
Ruiz said Guadalajara was selected because of its strong air connectivity, generous hotel capacity and excellent meetings and exhibition space.
"The tourism sector in Mexico is united and steadfast in its commitment to further strengthen the industry as one of the main engines to transform the country," she said.
For its part, Merida fought hard for the opportunity to host Tianguis 2016 in a proposal that outlined why Yucatan was a worthy contender. "Yucatan has extensive historical, cultural and gastronomic offerings, thanks to its modern infrastructure," said Saul Ancona Salazar, Yucatan's secretary of tourism.
The announcement of Guadalajara as the site for the 41st annual Tianguis Turistico comes just as the 2015 edition, which runs from March 23 to 26, returns to Acapulco for the first time since 2011.
The destination had hosted the conference for 36 years until it was moved to Puerto Vallarta, Puebla and Cancun, respectively.
Approximately $20 million has been invested in Acapulco's infrastructure in preparation for Tianguis, including renovation projects in the city's downtown and the Traditional Zone.
"Tianguis is an important platform to develop partnerships, generate awareness about the destination, and showcase our unique tourism offerings," said Sergio Salmeron, secretary of tourism for Guerrero, the state where Acapulco is located. "It is an important event for the commercial development of Guerrero, in which tourism is a major source of revenue."
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